Northern Pakistan is reeling after days of relentless rain triggered flash floods and landslides, killing at least 194 people and leaving entire communities cut off from the outside world.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) suffered the heaviest losses, with 180 fatalities. Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) recorded five deaths, while nine were reported in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Among the victims are 17 children. Authorities warn the toll could climb as rescuers struggle to reach remote areas still under water or buried under debris.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Villages Swept Away, Helicopter Crash Kills Relief Crew
KP is facing its deadliest flood disaster in years. Torrential downpours have washed away homes, destroyed roads, and knocked out communication networks. Officials say mobile towers in multiple districts are down, isolating survivors.
In a grim turn, a government helicopter ferrying relief supplies to Bajaur crashed in bad weather, killing all five on board. “This is a tragedy within a tragedy,” said a spokesperson for Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who has declared a day of mourning.
Power outages are widespread, with floodwaters damaging a 132KV grid station in Swat and wiping out dozens of electricity poles. Emergency crews are working around the clock to restore supply, but authorities warn repairs could take days.
AJK and GB: Bridges Washed Away, Tourists Stranded
In AJK’s Neelum Valley, six suspension bridges have been swept away, cutting off access to several towns. A cloudburst in Muzaffarabad killed eight people, including six from the same family. Key roads, including sections of the Kohala and Neelum highways, remain blocked, stranding tourists in the mountains. Schools have been closed due to the risk of further landslides.
GB has also been hit hard. Flash floods have obliterated crops, water channels, and key infrastructure in districts like Ghizer, Diamer, and Astore. The Karakoram Highway is blocked, severing the only road link to Rawalpindi. With power plants shut down after the Sadpara Dam’s water channel was destroyed, entire valleys remain in the dark.
National and Military Response
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an “all-out” relief effort, directing the NDMA to coordinate closely with provincial governments. A special monitoring cell has been set up in the Prime Minister’s Office, operating around the clock.
The Pakistan Army has deployed troops and helicopters to evacuate residents and airlift food and medical supplies. In Buner, where entire villages have been wiped out, a state of emergency has been declared and hospitals placed on high alert.
Across the Border: Similar Tragedy in Indian-Administered Kashmir
The flooding has not spared neighboring Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. In Kishtwar district, a cloudburst and flash floods have killed at least 56 people, with over 100 still missing. Many of the victims were Hindu pilgrims visiting the area.
The Road Ahead
Officials say the immediate priority is rescue and relief, but the scale of the destruction means recovery will take months. With more rain forecast, authorities are urging residents in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground.
“This is not a time for politics,” said KP’s provincial leadership. “It’s a fight to save lives.”
